Tag: DCCI

Events: Feltmakers Ireland – Two Open Days for August Craft Month

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland2 Comments

This year, Feltmakers Ireland hosts two Open Days for August Craft Month / Heritage Week.

On the 18th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at the CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club
Library Square, Inchicore, Co. Dublin, D08 PA07

On the 25th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at St James Hall, Dublin Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, N91 XA32

Time: Both events run from 11 AM to 3 PM.

This year, we will be teaching how to felt a small round vessel out of wool roving using soapy water and your hands!

Curious about sheep and Irish wool varieties? Explore the unique reactions of different Irish wool types that have been needle and wet felted. There will be an opportunity to browse and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, a rich resource on forty breeds of Irish-raised sheep.

There will be a display of felted artworks and wearables crafted by our talented members, showcasing the beauty and versatility of feltmaking.

Come to our two free events, part of our parent organisation, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s August Craft Month.

More Events to Experience Felt

Several of our members are hosting individual events for August Craft Month:

Karena Ryan has an open studio in Co Galway on the 5th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/open-studio-and-sale-2/

Tamzen Lundy is offering a workshop in Co Kildare on how to ‘Felt a Funky Feline’– https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/wet-felting-a-funky-feline-full-day-felting/

She also has a children’s felting workshop on the 17th of August, Saturday afternoon, in Kildare Town’s – market square. https://www.tamzenlundydesigns.ie/service-page/kids-feltmaking-taster-workshop

Juliane Gorman has an open studio in Co Dublin on the 25th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/visit-the-felting-forge-open-studio-of-juliane-gorman-felthappiness-hats/

Joanne Turner will teach a workshop on August 17th at Le Chéile Arts in Dunmanway, Co Cork. More information at this Instagram post – https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kHcndtPwZ/?igsh=bHJiZ3I3NHYxMGc2

Emily Thompson will teach several needlefelting workshops within Co Cork as part of August Craft Month. More information at this Instagram post – https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kMVpfMnt5/?img_index=1

As part of Meath Made Creates, Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt Designs is teaching how to make wet felted flowers on Saturday, the 17th of August, at 2:30 PM – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-wet-felt-workshop-with-boann-irish-felt-designs

As part of Meath Made Creates, Lucia Errity will teach how to make a needle-felted landscape on Sunday, the 18th of August, at 10:00 AM. – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-felting-the-landscape-with-lucia-errity

If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and you are having a felt-related event as part of August Craft Month, please contact us so we can include you in our August Craft Month posts – feltmakersIE@gmail.com

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Opportunity: The David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is delighted to announce the second year of the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award. The award supports and recognises the achievements of our masterclass craftspeople in the creative development of their craft.

This award was developed by DCCI to honour the legacy of David Shaw-Smith, the legendary Irish filmmaker. It has been created to recognise that Irish craft is driven by heritage and creativity. It will support and acknowledge the achievements of key master craftspeople in the creative development of their craft.⁠
⁠
Pictured is last year’s winner @ericphillips.ie with Daniel Shaw-Smith, David Shaw-Smith’s son. ⁠

The deadline is the 22nd of July.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.dcci.ie/opportunities/david-shaw-smith-legacy-award/

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland at Bloom 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Bloom co-coordinator, Maria Mc Garry

Over the June Bank holiday, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland spent two days at the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Irish Craft Village within Bord Bia’s Bloom 2024 in Phonix Park. Our volunteers shared the wonders of transforming fluff into felt.

Irish Craft Village Sign – Photo by Sam Fagan

Most of all, Feltmakers Ireland wants to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for giving us such an excellent marquee and display opportunity in the Craft’s Demonstration Booth at Bloom. We especially want to thank Geraldine Gray (of the DCCI ) and her sister Catherine for their support, helpfulness, and friendship on-site over the two days.

The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Irish Craft Village – Photo by Sam Fagan

Our Booth

The public enjoyed watching volunteers show how to wet felt and needle-felt.

The photo on the left is early in the day – Photo by Loli Cox. The one on the right shows how popular our booth was – Photo by Sam Fagan.

Day 1

Annika Berglund showcased her project on the felting properties of wool from the various breeds of sheep in Ireland as part of Feltmakers Ireland’s book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking‘. You can purchase this book via our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/

  • Annika with samples of Irish Wool Breeds – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
  • Irish Wool Breed Felted Samples – Photo by Sam Fagan

Annika’s 3D fish and butterflies attracted much interest, as did other artworks on display.

  • Fishes and Butterfhly – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
  • 3D Butterflies by Annika Berglund – Photo by Sam Fagan
  • Hélène Dooley’s spiral in the foregraound.
  • A busy booth – Photo by Hélène Dooley

Tamzen Lundy demonstrated wet feltmaking by creating a Mr Fantastic Fox. Her cute, wee-felted animals on display are terrific. You can find her work at Tamzen Lundy Designs.

Tamzen promoting wet feltmaking. (See below)

  • Tamzen demonstrating
  • Tamzen chatting with the public – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Marian Fagan demonstrated needle felting and how she makes puppets of the various characters in children’s books for her granddaughter as they share the joy of reading. (See photo below).

Marian demonstrating feltmaking – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Loli Cox, Marian, and Annika were busy demonstrating.

Loli, Marian, and Annika talking with the public – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

In the afternoon, Joanne Foley (in the yellow dress) demonstrated the process of creating her animal portraits. (See photograph below).

More sharing of feltmaking at Bloom – Joanne Foley, Lorna Cady, Margaret Ryan Collings, and Annika Berglund – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Guild member Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt exhibited her beautiful work in the main pavilion with MeathMade. (See below).

Caoimhe Tuthill at the MeathMade Booth – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Day 2

Saturday was busy, and Hélène Dooley started us off by demonstrating wet felting flowers and displaying her felted vessels. The red-coloured, hanging felted spiral is from an online class she teaches at the Felting and Fiber Studio. (See photo below).

Helene demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Hélène demonstrated and answered curious questions.

Hélène, Lory Cotti Cottini, and Annika demonstrating, below. Annika promoted Feltmakers Ireland and encouraged the interested public to become members of the guild.

Helene, Lory, and Annika sharing the wonders of feltmaking – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Siobhan Ryan, Sam Fagan, Elaine Peden, and Annika at Bloom.

Siobhan, Sam, Elaine, and Annika demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Elaine Peden demonstrating felted flowers. (Below)

Elain Peden demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Elaine and Annika share feltmaking with the public. (Below).

Elaine and Annika – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Siobhan demonstrates her unique artwork.

Siobhan demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry

Valerie Nowak O’Ceallaigh shared her needle-felted horse portrait.

Photo by Valerie

Conclusion

Many thanks to Maria Mc Garry and Annika Berglund for coordinating this year’s Feltmakers Ireland booth at Bloom! Also, thanks to all the members, who also volunteered their time during the busy bank holiday weekend.

Elaine, Annika, and Maria pictured – Photo by Sam Fagan


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Open Call: Apply to the DCCI Irish Business Design Challenge

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) launches this year’s Irish Business Design Challenge (IBDC) for micro, small and medium-sized businesses to apply and showcase their commitment to sustainability through innovative design and circular and ethical practices.

In its fourth year, IBDC celebrates businesses that add value, repurpose products, develop eco-friendly processes, enhance efficiency, and tackle societal and environmental challenges through sustainable design.

This year’s challenge has a prize fund of over €50,000.

Examples of Sustainable Design Strategies:

  • Designing for minimal waste.
  • Prioritising durability in design.
  • Utilising safe, renewable, and recycled materials.
  • Championing ethical production practices.
  • Reducing chemical impacts through design.
  • Implementing energy and water-efficient designs.
  • Drawing inspiration from nature’s designs.
  • Dematerialising products and developing sustainable systems and services.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.dcci.ie/ibdc

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Event: Feltmakers Ireland will be at Bloom 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will be demonstrating wet and needlefelting at Bloom 2024. Stop by and say ‘hello’, see the magic of feltmaking, learn about our Wool Project, and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

Where: We will be in the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s ‘Irish Craft Village’ in the YELLOW section, area 26, in the GANS Crafts Demonstration booth.

When: The Guild will be in the booth on Friday, the 31st of May, and Saturday, the 1st of June, from 11 AM to 5 PM. (Bloom runs from the 30th of May to the 3rd of June).

Note: we will be closer to the Red Car Park.

There will be free shuttle buses from Heuston Station.

For more information, visit Bloom’s website – https://www.bordbiabloom.com/


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: ‘Opposites Attract’ – the Inspiration

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland8 Comments

Feltmakers Ireland chooses a theme for each of our annual exhibitions. Last year’s theme was ‘Bountiful’, and the year before, it was ‘Building Bridges’. This year’s theme is ‘Opposites Attract’.

Having a theme can be both inspiring or constraining, depending upon the individual artist. Sometimes, both emotions are experienced within a member as she works through the feltmaking process!

In today’s blog post, we share six of our members’ pieces and how they interpreted ‘Opposites Attract’.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Sandra Reynolds

Sandra Reynolds – ‘Midnight Mood’

My piece is inspired by the forces of the moon and its effects on nature. The opposites of light and dark, the power of electricity, and the magnetic forces surrounding us.

Sandra Coote

Sandra Coote – ‘Nature’s Duet’

2024, the year it rained continuously, but on occasion, the sun peeped through to produce the most magnificent of rainbows. ‘Nature’s Duet’ brightly represents this occurrence when the opposites of our weather come together harmoniously to create a spectacular spectrum of colour.

Patricia Conroy

Patricia Conroy – ‘Doolin sunset’

This piece is inspired by a sunset in Doolin in April 2024. It depicts the beauty that dark and bright can create. The hills are black, but as a result the beauty of nature’s contrasts can be experienced.

Nature provides us with opposites that attract and that go together to create the beauty we see every day.

Hélène Dooley

Hélène Dooley – ‘Hiking in the foothills of Mount Cook, NZ’

Nature is truly magnificent and packed with contradictions!

While hiking in the foothills of Mount Cook, NZ, the clouds disappeared, and we were treated to the most stunning and, according to locals, a rare view of the mountain. There were so many opposing elements: the light and dark of the mountain range, our presence in a lush and colourful terrain against a stark mountain backdrop, the permanence of this young mountain range compared to the transience of the flora surrounding us, the differing temperatures which were governed by height. Fragility surrounded us, yet there was a certain reassurance that the mountain would prevail in spite of humanity’s destructive decisions.

Maria McGarry

Maria McGarry – ‘Winter Solstice, Newgrange’

On the 21st of December 2023, as the dawn broke in Newgrange, we witnessed dazzling rainbow clouds, and I could see a dove form through the clouds. Spiritually, it reflected our silent collective prayer for peace in the world. (ethereal opposite to earthly).

Audrey Murray

Audrey Murray – ‘Tree of Life’

‘The Tree of Life’ symbolises the connection between heaven and earth, body and mind, and the physical and spiritual. The angel represents a messenger between heaven and earth and the addition of the cherry blossom flowers continues the theme of connecting birth, death and rebirth.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. This series will continue over the coming weeks. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre. The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Opportunity: Share at August Craft Month 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Design and Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI invite makers and craftspersons to register their events for this year’s August Craft Month.

What a maker chooses to share is up to them.

Here are some ideas:

  • Craft Talks and Trails
  • Open Studios and Exhibitions
  • Workshops and Demos
  • Meet the Maker Events

August Craft Month 2024 is for makers, communities, families, collectors, and enthusiasts across the island of Ireland. Event applications are welcome from the following:

  • Individual craft makers
  • Guilds and networks
  • Galleries, retailers and museums
  • Councils and arts centres, cultural venues
  • Further and higher education institutions and crafts educators
  • Heritage organisations

The deadline for registering your event is Friday, June 14th.

For more information and to register, please visit their website – https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/dcci-august-craft-month/

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: Photos from ‘Opposites Attract’

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

On Saturday, the 4th of May, Feltmakers Ireland opened their group art exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ at the Phonix Park Visitors’ Centre. Friends, family, and other supporters kindly came to cheer us on!

A Few Photos from the Gallery

Above photos by Fiona Leech

Tom Watts from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (the DCCI) inaugurated our opening by speaking about the importance of wool as a sustainable material and how craft and design are interwoven. He added that he was impressed with the qualities, techniques, and ideas of the exhibited pieces.

Tom Watts spoke at the opening.

Interestingly, he wore a pair of vintage Nike Air Footscape Woven Trainers that contained felt!

Members Alongside Their Work

Our trusty photographer was busy chatting with other members, so she only managed to snap some of our members alongside their work.

  • Annika Berglund
  • Breda Fay
  • Elizabeth Redding
  • Eva Salamon
  • Caitriona Nolan
  • Juliane Gorman
  • Lory Cotti Cottini
  • Sandra Chase
  • Marie Dunne
  • Tamzen Lundy
  • Loli Cox
  • Neasa Ryan
  • Eithne O’Dea
  • Maria McGarry
  • Ramona Farrelly
  • Valerie Nowak-O’ceallaigh
  • Adrienne Dempsey
  • Helena Mc Guinness

Videos of the Work

A short video of the opening is on the Guild’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

A longer video of each artist’s work is here on YouTube.

Members’ Inspiration

There is a series of seven blog posts about each artist’s inspiration.

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

The Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre Gallery was open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Each day, a member volunteered her time to share the wonder of feltmaking and chat with the visitors. Over a thousand people visited our show!

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: ‘Opposites Attract’ Opens Today

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland’s group exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ opens today at 3 PM. Tom Watts of the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCI) will inaugurate our exhibition.

Here are the last of the sneak peeks: Sandra Reynolds, Helena Mc Guinness, Sandra Coote, Valerie Nowak-oceallaigh, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, and Juliane Gorman.

  • Sandra Reynolds
  • Helena Mc Guinness
  • Sandra Coote
  • Valerie Nowak-oceallaigh
  • Patricia Conroy
  • Hélène Dooley
  • Juliane Gorman

Thank you for accompanying us on this Sneak Peek Journey. Learning about our members and their inspirations has been a fascinating part of organising this exhibition! We cannot wait to share more artwork during the show’s run from May 5th to 26th.

Remember: The Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, the lovely cafe across the way is open.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: One More Day – Feltmakers Ireland’s Exhibition Opens

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Today is Friday, so there is only one more day until the Feltmakers Ireland group exhibition opens at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre.

Here is a bevvy of felted artworks from the following members: Adrienne Dempsey, Elaine Peden, Marie Dunne, Annika Berglund, Joanne Turner, Marika Miklosi Manning, Tamzen Lundy, and Heather Byrne.

  • Adrienne Dempsey
  • Elaine Peden
  • Marie Dunne
  • Annika Berglund
  • Joanne Turner
  • Marika Miklosi Manning
  • Tamzen Lundy
  • Heather Byrne

Tomorrow is the BIG Day – our opening, is at 3 PM at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre. Due to construction for the upcoming Bloom, please allow more time to travel to the gallery.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.